April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Organized by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center and marking its 23rd anniversary this year, the annual observance is a time to raise awareness about sexual assault and highlight how it can be prevented, whether that’s through education about healthy sexuality, consent, or bystander intervention.
Sadly, sexual assault is a pervasive problem in the United States. Nationwide, 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime. Furthermore, one in five women in the United States experienced completed or attempted rape during their lifetime.
Pennsylvania Senate Democrats are committed to combating sexual assault and supporting those impacted by it. You can read more about the legislation our members have proposed on this issue during the current legislative session below.
The work to address this crisis goes beyond the halls and chambers of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex: it lies with all of us. This year’s theme for SAAM, Building Connected Communities, focuses on that collective responsibility. It stresses the importance and power of community in reducing the likelihood of sexual abuse, assault, and harassment in our communities.
Community is powerful. Community creates a sense of belonging and reminds us of how our beliefs, choices, and actions impact one another. At the center of Building Connected Communities is ensuring our communities are safe, inclusive, and equitable. Racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, ageism, ableism, and other forms of oppression contribute to higher rates of sexual harassment, assault, and abuse. We must address all abuses of power to prevent sexual violence – in our relationships, communities, and society.
For further information, please visit the National Sexual Violence Resource Center at www.NSVRC.org and explore more ways to learn, get help, and boost sexual violence prevention.
National Sexual Assault Help Line
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
GET HELP 24/7
Understanding Sexual Violence
Sexual Violence Happens in Every Community
How you understand and talk about it matters. Become an agent for change by using your voice to shift how others think about and react to this critical issue.
What is sexual violence?
- Sexual violence is any type of unwanted sexual contact – including sexual assault and rape.
- This can include words and actions like sexual harassment, catcalling, and nonconsensual sharing of private images such as “revenge porn.”
Sexual violence impacts everyone
- Nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 67 men in the U.S. have experienced rape or attempted rape some time in their lives (Smith et al., 2017).
- Anyone can experience sexual violence, including children, teens, adults, and seniors.
Victims often know the person who Sexually assaulted them
- People who sexually abuse can be family members, friends, romantic partners, or other trusted individuals.
- They may use coercion, manipulation, threats, or force to commit sexual violence.
Victims are never to blame
- It doesn’t matter what someone was wearing, how they were acting, if they were drinking, or what type of relationship they had with the person who abused them
Sexual assault is often not reported
- A person may not report what happened for many reasons, including:
- Concern they won’t be believed
- Fear of retaliation
- Distrust of law enforcement
- Shame or fear of being blamed
- Pressure from others
healing and justice look different for every survivor
- A survivor may or may not choose to move forward with the criminal justice system.
- Healing is an ongoing process. Everyone heals in their own time and their own way.
You can support survivors
- Chances are you know someone who has experienced sexual violence even if they haven’t told you.
- They are listening to how you talk about the issue, and hearing that you understand and believe survivors may help them feel safe.
Embrace your voice
- Sexual violence thrives when it is not taken seriously and victim blaming goes unchecked.
- Your voice is essential in setting the record straight on sexual violence.
More Information
- Learn more from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
- Guide to Victim’s Assistance
- Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect
Retrieved from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/NISVS-StateReportBook.pdf and The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010-2012 state report.
2023-2024 Session Legislation
Senate Bill 293 − Age-Appropriate Consent Education
SB 293 − This legislation would require consent education in school curriculum. Beginning in elementary school, we need to teach that consent is a fundamental value in human relationships. The approach would of course be age-appropriate, for example, in elementary schools, the importance of asking permission from a classmate, whether in working together in the classroom or playing together on the playground, would be stressed.
Sponsored by Senator Tim Kearney
Senate Bill 388− Dating and Sexual Violence Prevention Education
Senate Bill 388 – This legislation would require schools to establish specific policies regarding dating violence, including reporting procedures for students, parents, legal guardians, or third parties; disciplinary procedures and penalties for students perpetrating dating violence against other students; and information regarding the Protection from Abuse law. Additionally, schools and districts would be required to post these policies on the school or district website, in every classroom where practical, and in at least one prominent location within a school.
Sponsored by Senator Schwank
Senate Bill 578 − Abolishing the Statute of Limitations for ALL Survivors of Sexual Assault
SB 578 – This bill would eliminate the criminal and civil statute of limitation (SOL) for sexual abuse, assault and misconduct for all survivors, regardless of age. It will also open a 2-year civil window to revive previously expired SOL claims with a 6-month delay and prohibit non-disclosure agreements that would otherwise prevent an adult survivor from reporting.
Sponsored by Senators Katie Muth, Maria Collett, Tim Kearney, Steve Santarsiero, Lindsey Williams, Wayne Fontana
Senate Bill 670 − Creating the "Survivor-centered, accessible, fair and empowering” (SAFE) Housing Trust Fund
SB 670 – This bill would establish the SAFE housing trust fund that will benefit victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, human trafficking and stalking. The “Survivor-centered, accessible, fair and empowering” (SAFE) Housing Trust Fund will provide much needed funding to increase resources to domestic violence programs, transitional housing programs and permanent housing solutions to better respond to the needs of these victims and survivors.
Sponsored by Senator Vincent Hughes
Senate Resolution 12 − Task Force on secondary and postsecondary campus sexual assault and relationship violence
Senate Resolution 12 – A Resolution that would direct the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on the impact of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking on Commonwealth students enrolled in grades six through twelve and postsecondary institutions and issue a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly.
Sponsor: Senator Vincent Hughes
Senate Resolution 83 − Resolution Recognizing “Military Sexual Trauma Survivor Week” in Pennsylvania
Senate Resolution 83 (Muth, L. Williams, Pennycuick) – This resolution would recognize the week of October 15th through the 21st as Military Sexual Trauma Survivor Week in Pennsylvania.
Sponsor: Senators Katie Muth, Lindsey Williams and Tracy Pennycuick
Senate Bill 385 − Alternative Sentences for Domestic Violence Survivors
Senate Bill 385 – This legislation would create alternative sentences for domestic violence survivors. Every year, a number of domestic violence survivors are coerced into criminal activity by their abusers, who threaten their family, friends, loved ones, and even family pets. With more than 12 million men and women experiencing rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner, and with nearly 60 percent of women in prison having had a history of physical or sexual abuse before incarceration, something must be done to create more just outcomes for those affected by domestic violence and abuse.
Sponsored by Senator Amanda Cappelletti
Senate Bill 529 − Duty to Assist
SB 529 – This bill would impose an affirmative duty on any person to provide reasonable assistance to another person who is subject to serious physical harm. This legislation will require, at a minimum, that a person contact emergency response personnel when they see another person who has suffered physical harm at the scene of an accident or a crime.
Sponsored by Senator Jim Brewster
Senate Bill 579 − Establishment of a Statewide Rape Kit Tracking System
SB 579 – This bill would establish a statewide rape kit tracking system. It would do so by creating a statewide tracking system for sexual assault evidence, housed within the Pennsylvania State Police. This system would allow victims to log-in any time to access the status of their evidence—where it is currently located, when it was submitted, and who to contact for help and more information
Sponsored by Senator Katie Muth
Senate Bill 924 − Recognizing Military Sexual Trauma Awareness Day
SB 924 – This resolution would designate November 9 of each year as Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Awareness Day in Pennsylvania.
Sponsored by Senators Katie Muth and Lindsey Williams
Senate Resolution 71 − Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Senate Resolution 71 – A Resolution that would declare April 2023 as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania. Sexual assault has continued to be a serious social and public health issue in the United States. Everyday across the United States, thousands of people, regardless of cultural and economic backgrounds, are affected by rape and sexual assault.
Sponsor: Senators Christine Tartaglione, Katie Muth, Maria Collett, Lindsey Williams, Lisa Boscola, Amanda Cappelletti, Judy Schwank, Carolyn Comitta
Senate Resolution 97 − Recognizing Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Awareness Month
Senate Resolution 97 – This resolution would recognize April 2023 as “Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania.
Sponsor: Senators Katie Muth, Lindsey Williams and Tracy Pennycuick
Co-Sponsorship Memo − The #MeToo in Pennsylvania General Assembly Act
This legislation would protect legislators, staff, employees, and other stakeholders that work with the General Assembly from sexual assault and harassment at work and would hold abusers accountable.
Sponsored by Senators Maria Collett, Katie Muth, Tim Kearney, Steve Santarsiero, Lindsey Williams, Amanda Cappelletti, Carolyn Comitta, John Kane and Nikil Saval
Co-Sponsorship Memo − Abolishing the Statute of Limitations for ALL Survivors of Sexual Assault
This legislation would eliminate the criminal and civil statute of limitation (SOL) for sexual abuse, assault and misconduct for all survivors, regardless of age. Our legislation will also open a 2-year civil window to revive previously expired SOL claims with a 6-month delay and prohibit non-disclosure agreements that would otherwise prevent an adult survivor from reporting.
Sponsored by Senators Katie Muth, Maria Collett, Tim Kearney, Steve Santarsiero, Lindsey Williams, and Wayne Fontana
Additional Resources and Advocacy
